Airbus in the United Kingdom
Innovating for the UK’s strategic goals
A 100–year legacy in British aviation
A Proud Foundation
Airbus is the UK’s largest civil aerospace company and its foremost exporter in aeronautics. As a key supplier to the Royal Air Force, a leader in space satellite technology, and responsible for around half of the UK’s civil helicopter fleet, Airbus plays a crucial role across the defence, space and helicopter sectors.
With a proud British heritage and global reach, Airbus partners with the UK to drive cutting-edge innovation, support the nation’s long-term strategic goals and foster sustainable growth in aerospace and beyond.
Our impact
The latest Airbus Oxford Economics Survey highlights Airbus’ essential role in the UK’s industrial and manufacturing landscape, assessing its impact on jobs, investment, R&D, supply chain and sovereign capability. The report reveals that Airbus generates a total economic contribution of £7 billion to the UK economy.
Our products & services
Airbus, Airbus Helicopters, and Airbus Defence and Space lead their respective markets in the UK, leveraging diverse skills, advanced technologies and unique facilities across more than 25 sites, from Aberdeen to Portsmouth. The UK plays a vital role in Airbus’ global operations, contributing local revenues of £5.6 billion, and remains an integral partner in advancing the aerospace, defence, security and space sectors.
Commercial Aircraft in the United Kingdom
Our Products & Services
At our Filton and Broughton sites, Airbus designs, tests, and manufactures wings for the A320 family, A330, and A350 aircraft, sustaining around 8,000 jobs and hundreds of apprenticeships across the UK. Broughton, with its 81-year aerospace legacy, is a global centre of excellence for wing manufacturing, benefitting from more than £2 billion in investment over the past decade.
Filton, home to Northern Europe’s largest concentration of aerospace engineers, leads in wing design and support, fuel and landing gear systems, and advanced research through the Wing of Tomorrow and ZEROe programmes, underscoring Airbus’ commitment to innovation and decarbonisation.
Helicopters in the United Kingdom
Our Products & Services
Airbus Helicopters, headquartered at Oxford Airport - the UK’s civil helicopter hub - is a major supplier to the civil, military, and air ambulance sectors. With over 50 years in the UK, we excel in providing robust support and services, demonstrated by our successful Puma, MFTS, and NPAS programmes.
Our new £55 million headquarters at Oxford accommodates a growing workforce, including apprentices, while enhancing operational efficiency and reducing our environmental footprint.
Defence in the United Kingdom
Our Products & Services
Airbus is the RAF’s largest supplier of large aircraft, delivering the A330 Multi Role Tanker Transport (MRTT) through the AirTanker partnership and the A400M multi-role airlifters. The RAF fleet is maintained and serviced at RAF Brize Norton with wing assembly and equipping for all A400Ms taking place at Filton. Our Newport site in South Wales specialises in secure connectivity, cyber solutions, and infrastructure protection for the UK, serving as a key partner to the UK government and NATO.
In Farnborough, Aalto enables game-changing connectivity and Earth observation with the world-leading, record-breaking Zephyr High Altitude Platform Station (HAPS).
Space in the United Kingdom
Our Products & Services
As the UK’s strategic partner for Space and Europe’s largest space company, Airbus designs and manufactures advanced satellites that address critical challenges such as climate monitoring and global secure communications.
Through the European Space Agency, Airbus leads international missions, including the ExoMars Rosalind Franklin rover vehicle, set to navigate Mars, Solar Orbiter, enabling scientists to closely observe our Sun and Biomass, able to measure the world’s forests - highlighting Airbus’ leadership in space innovation.
Innovation in the United Kingdom
Airbus is leading the UK’s net-zero and decarbonisation efforts with initiatives like the ZEROe programme for hydrogen-powered aircraft and our largest R&D programme, Wing of Tomorrow, which is transforming wing design to enhance efficiency and sustainability across aerospace.
In 2022, Airbus invested nearly £277 million in R&D, supporting the UK’s ambition to become a Science and Technology Superpower and advancing the future of aviation through cutting-edge innovation.
Armed Forces Covenant
Working in partnership
Airbus is proud to support the UK’s sovereign defence capabilities and honours the commitment of our Armed Forces. As a signatory of the Armed Forces Covenant and a holder of the Employer Recognition Scheme Gold Award, we recognise and support veteran employees and reservists.
Since 2017, we have partnered with the Careers Transition Partnership, and our Armed Forces and Veterans Employee Resource Group (ERG) actively promotes Airbus as an employer of choice for veterans and reservists. We have been recognised as one of the Top 50 Employers of Veterans in the UK.
Our annual performance in the UK
Documents
Airbus Operations Limited 2022 Financial Statements
Airbus Helicopters UK Limited 2022 Financial Statements
Airbus Defence and Space Limited 2022 Annual Report and Financial Statements
Airbus in the UK - Gender Pay Gap Report 2024
- Documents
Airbus Operations Limited 2022 Financial Statements
Airbus Helicopters UK Limited 2022 Financial Statements
Airbus Defence and Space Limited 2022 Annual Report and Financial Statements
Airbus in the UK - Gender Pay Gap Report 2024
Latest from the United Kingdom
In the spotlight
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Press releases Helicopters
UK National Police Air Service orders seven Airbus H135s
Airbus Helicopters has been selected by the UK’s National Police Air Service (NPAS) to supply seven H135 helicopters as the initial phase of its fleet renewal programme. -
Press releases Space
Airbus awarded Oberon satellites contract by UK MOD
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Stories Helicopters
The upsides of upsizing: a new UK HQ for Airbus Helicopters
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Stories Space
Airbus gives companies a boost on their journey to space
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Press releases Innovation
Airbus partners with Avolon to explore future of hydrogen aviation
Airbus in Europe
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Airbus in Finland
More than 370 highly-skilled employees work at Airbus in Finland, primarily in the area of research and development, engineering…
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Airbus in France
France is one of Airbus’ four founding countries, as well as home to the company’s headquarters facility – which is located in…
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Airbus in Germany
Germany is home to some of Airbus’ largest and most important operations, including A320 Family final assembly lines located in…
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Airbus in Italy
Airbus has been a strong partner of Italy’s aerospace sector for nearly 50 years.
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Airbus in Poland
Having established its initial presence in the 2000s, Airbus continues to expand its profile in Poland, building on a century of…
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Airbus in Portugal
Airbus has had a strong growing bilateral relationship with Portugal for more than 50 years.
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Airbus in Romania
Airbus is Romania’s major partner in the aeronautical sector, generating more than 9.000 direct and indirect jobs.
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Airbus in Spain
Spain is a key industrial base for Airbus, with production facilities for commercial and military aircraft, helicopters and space…
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Airbus in Türkiye
Airbus and Türkiye have a long history of partnership with successful projects in civil and military aviation for Türkiye.
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Careers opportunities
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